In the Years When I Was a Father

Chapter 91: Phoenix Dad (4)

On the way to the auction, Qi Ningrui remained silent the entire time. Qi Sheng wanted to ease the tension but didn’t quite know how to begin. Seeing the kid’s obviously downcast mood, Qi Sheng found it odd—wasn’t his attitude just fine earlier?

Qi Sheng didn’t think much of Ningrui’s occasional sulkiness. In fact, he found it somewhat reassuring. Compared to a completely obedient and well-behaved son who tried to win his favor, he preferred the real emotions that sometimes slipped out in front of him. It made him feel more at ease.

Didn’t this also mean that, deep down, the kid still saw him as a father? Qi Sheng felt like there might still be light at the end of the tunnel.

Qi Ningrui, on the other hand, was unaware of the quiet delight in the man beside him. He was annoyed at himself. Hadn’t he suffered enough? Hadn’t he and his mother been hurt deeply enough? Why was he still harboring hope for this man? He warned himself that this couldn’t go on. Before returning from abroad, he had made up his mind to take back Ning Group and Lemon at all costs. Yet after just a few brief interactions, he found himself dazed, as if he were back in the days from ten years ago.

Qi Ningrui let out a bitter smile internally. Just two years ago, this man had been ruthless enough. After he graduated from university and wanted to return, the man had stopped him under the pretext of further studies. Back then, he had felt no reluctance from this man. So what was this change all about now?

Though father and son sat side by side, each was lost in their own thoughts. The atmosphere in the car was unusually silent, so much so that even the driver didn’t dare make a sound.

It wasn’t until they arrived at the auction venue that the driver felt a sense of relief. After parking the car, he couldn’t help but mutter inwardly—how bizarre it was that such a wealthy man could make a mess of his relationship with his son. Ordinary people had it better; there weren’t so many twists and turns between fathers and sons.

Qi Sheng took his son into the main auction hall. The event hadn’t officially begun yet. As a gathering of high-level business elites, socializing was inevitable. Besides the usual flattering exchanges, Qi Sheng also made a point to introduce Qi Ningrui to everyone.

“Our Ningrui has finally grown up. Just graduated and already helping out at the company. He’s still young and learning, so if he ever runs into any difficulties, I hope you all, as his uncles, will lend him a hand.”

One of the CEOs present, seeing how earnestly Qi Sheng introduced his son, naturally went along: “Qi President, what are you saying? Ningrui is our junior—of course we’ll look after him. You’re really fortunate—your son graduated from a prestigious university. He’s far more accomplished than my own kid.” Qi Sheng waved modestly. “Don’t praise him too much. I used to worry he wouldn’t graduate at all. Thankfully, the rascal didn’t embarrass me.”

That CEO continued with the polite banter: “President Qi, you’re being too modest. Ningrui finished his studies ahead of schedule—clearly he’s outstanding. Ningrui, if you ever need help, feel free to reach out. I really admire young talents like you.”

Qi Ningrui responded with a polite smile and exchanged a few words, before being introduced to another executive.

That executive said, “Ningrui is so young yet already so poised—President Qi, you’ve done a great job raising him.”

Qi Sheng laughed with little restraint. “Oh, I just taught him a bit here and there.”

The executive thought, …Well, I was just making small talk.

Qi Sheng didn’t care whether the compliments were genuine. He accepted them all with pleasure and continued introducing his son to more people.

Many of the onlookers had their eyes on the pair. Qi Sheng’s lack of modesty and barely hidden pride in his son made it impossible to ignore. The seasoned businessmen in attendance quickly caught on to the best way to flatter Qi Sheng: praise his son.

“Your son is so capable—must’ve taken a lot of effort from you, President Qi.”

“Ningrui is such a well-mannered and sensible young man. You’re really blessed, President Qi!”

“Congratulations, President Qi. With such an outstanding son, you must teach me your parenting secrets sometime!”

Qi Ningrui maintained a calm smile, handling the compliments with composure. While putting on a polite front, he also secretly observed Qi Sheng.

Every time someone praised him for graduating early, Qi Sheng would act modest yet visibly pleased. So he really cares that much about my academic achievements?

Qi Ningrui recalled that before high school, his grades weren’t great, and back then this man didn’t seem to care much. Why the sudden change now?

Feeling puzzled, Qi Ningrui remembered a childhood incident where he was about to be punished by Qi Sheng but was stopped by his grandmother. He frowned slightly. Could it be that, because his grandparents interfered with his upbringing, this man eventually gave up trying to discipline him?

Qi Ningrui wasn’t sure if his speculation was correct, but once that idea surfaced, it left a strange taste in his mouth. He had always blamed Qi Sheng for his resentment toward his grandparents, but he had never tried to see things from his father’s perspective. Putting himself in the other’s shoes—if one day his in-laws not only disliked him but constantly meddled in how he raised his own child, would he truly be able to just let it go?

He found himself thinking deeply, even his expression turned heavier. Qi Sheng, unaware that his son was internally defending him, noticed his frown and assumed he was tired from all the socializing.

“Tired? The auction’s about to start. If you see anything you like later, Dad will buy it for you.”

Qi Ningrui was pulled back to reality by Qi Sheng’s voice. Seeing the faint worry in his eyes, he reflexively nodded and agreed. Once they were seated in the auction hall, he remained slightly dazed, staring at Qi Sheng.

On the way back from the auction, Qi Ningrui spaced out. Qi Sheng assumed he’d just been worn out from all the socializing and tried to reassure him, “It’s always a bit exhausting in the beginning. Once you get to know everyone, it won’t be so difficult.”

“Mm, I know, Dad.”

“Dad…”

“Hm? What is it?” Qi Sheng looked at him, puzzled. The kid was acting strange today.

“Ah, it’s nothing.” Qi Ningrui had wanted to ask about what he’d been thinking earlier, but when the words reached his lips, he didn’t know how to phrase it. Fortunately, the auction officially began at that moment. Listening to the host’s practiced opening remarks, Qi Ningrui shook his head silently. Forget it, maybe it’s better to wait a while before asking.

Qi Ningrui wasn’t particularly interested in the auction items. Antiques and curiosities weren’t his thing. As for jewelry, while he did consider picking something out for his mom, he hoped to pay for her gifts with his own money.

So, when the host introduced the next item as a ruby diamond ring, Qi Ningrui was momentarily excited, only to quickly feel disappointed. His mother’s favorite gemstone was ruby—but unfortunately, he couldn’t afford it today.

The host was enthusiastically promoting the ring: “…This pigeon blood ruby weighs approximately 15 carats, surrounded by ten smaller diamonds, each weighing 0.8 carats…”

Qi Ningrui completely gave up the idea of buying it the moment he heard it was 15 carats. He couldn’t afford to spend recklessly, and a ruby like this—worth at least seventy million yuan—was far beyond his reach. He could only feel regret, wondering if he’d ever come across such a large ruby again in the future.

While he was lost in thought, the auction for the ruby had already begun. Since he had given up on bidding, he didn’t pay much attention to the proceedings—until the price climbed to seventy-five million. Even then, he stayed calm.

“Eighty million.”

Host: “Eighty million, going once. Ladies and gentlemen, anyone willing to go higher?”

“Eighty-one million.”

As the bidding reached new highs, Qi Ningrui no longer followed it. He turned his head toward the man next to him, only to see him raising his paddle to bid again. Qi Ningrui’s feelings became complicated.

Who was this ruby for? Their family business had nothing to do with jewelry, and Qi Sheng had never shown an interest in collecting gems. Now he was bidding so extravagantly—was he trying to win someone’s favor?

The more Qi Ningrui thought about it, the heavier his heart felt. He didn’t have the confidence to believe Qi Sheng had bought the ruby for his mother. After all, they had lived apart for years, and Qi Sheng had never made an effort to reach out. He never showed up on her birthday or their wedding anniversary—completely ignoring her.

So the odds that this ruby was for his mother were slim. Was it for that young girl from the other day? Or someone new?

The very thought disgusted him. When Qi Sheng finally won the bid at 86 million yuan, Qi Ningrui’s hand clenched tightly, and his head lowered in silence.

Qi Sheng sensed something was off with his son, but in the dim lighting, with Qi Ningrui’s head bowed, he couldn’t see his expression. Still, he wasn’t too worried—in fact, he was rather pleased. He’d finally come across something Ningman liked, and this extravagant gesture could express his feelings. He thought attending the auction had definitely been worthwhile.

One man was elated, while the other was struggling not to explode. This tension lasted all the way until the auction ended. Qi Ningrui, without saying a word, immediately turned to leave—but Qi Sheng had no intention of letting him go.

Seeing his son silently trying to slip away, Qi Sheng grabbed his arm. “Where do you think you’re going, brat? Wait for me. The staff haven’t brought over the ruby yet.”

“I have something to do,” Qi Ningrui said through gritted teeth, trying to keep his temper in check.

“Huh?”

Qi Sheng finally recalled how his son’s mood had changed right after the ruby bidding. Looking at him now, Qi Sheng completely understood—he must have assumed the ruby was meant for someone else.

Qi Sheng chuckled. “Whatever you need to do can wait a minute. Look, the staff are already coming over. It’ll be quick.”

He originally wanted to tease the kid a bit longer, but when he felt the arm under his hand trying to break free, he knew his son was close to blowing up. Qi Sheng surrendered and quickly explained, “Take the ruby with you before you leave. It’s your mom’s favorite kind of jewelry.”

Qi Ningrui froze. The hand he had been using to push away halted in midair. He stared at Qi Sheng in a daze. “For Mom?”

“Of course. Why else would I spend that much on a piece of jewelry?”

Qi Ningrui was speechless for a moment. After a pause, he finally murmured, “Dad, you…” Why would he suddenly buy something for Mom?

Qi Sheng, noticing his hesitation, rubbed his nose and explained, “It’s true I haven’t visited your mom in a long time. I happened to come across something she likes, and since you’re here, you can give it to her for me.”

Qi Ningrui was about to respond when the staff arrived with the ring.

Looking at the beautifully colored, alluring ruby, Qi Ningrui suddenly realized that some things were slowly changing. This trip back to China had finally confirmed one thing for him—this man might actually be changing, for real.